joe

average Joe

An average, unexceptional, or ordinary person, especially a boy or man. So many movies try to cater to as many people as possible, watered down for the average Joe.I like to think I'm a bit more intelligent than your average Joe.

cup of joe

A cup of coffee. Though the true origin is unknown, "joe" as a synonym for coffee is theorized to either be a shortening of "jamoke" (a combination of Java and Mocha, two major suppliers of coffee beans), or as a reference to it being the drink of the ordinary man (i.e., the "average joe"). Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I can't even function in the morning until I've had my first cup of joe.

cuppa joe

A cup of coffee (where "cuppa" is a colloquial contraction of "cup of"). Though the true origin is unknown, "joe" as a synonym for coffee is theorized to either be a shortening of "jamoke" (a combination of Java and Mocha, two major suppliers of coffee beans), or as a reference to it being the drink of the ordinary man (i.e., the "average joe"). Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I can't even function in the morning until I've had my first cuppa joe.

Joe Average

The average, ordinary, or typical person. Primarily heard in US. The inner workings of congress might be familiar to a political science student like yourself, but to Joe Average, it is often a completely unknown process.We strive to ensure that our computers can handle the highest demands of an IT professional but still remain accessible to Joe Average.

joe job

1. Any uninteresting, unstimulating, or unrewarding job, task, or activity. Primarily heard in US. I thought that this internship would give me some insight into the world of investment banking, but mostly I've just been given joe jobs around the office.

2. Any menial or low-class job, especially one that is low-paying. Primarily heard in Canada. I took on all sorts of joe jobs to support myself while I was in university.

Joe Bloggs

A typical, ordinary, average person. (Technically gender neutral, though suggesting a male given the use of "Joe.") Their security is so lax that any old Joe Bloggs could walk right up and take their equipment.For any new piece of technology to succeed in the market these days, it has to be easy for any Joe Bloggs to pick up and use.

Joe Public

Typical, ordinary, average people; the public at large. For any new piece of technology to succeed in the market these days, it has to be easy for Joe Public to pick up and use.She isn't well liked among other politicians, but Joe Public absolutely adores her.

Joe Doakes

Joe Blow

The average man or person. Primarily heard in US. Obviously this issue is going to resonate with some special interest groups, but do you really think Joe Blow will care?We can't hire any Joe Blow as our spokesperson. We need someone recognizable, who the public already likes.

John Doe

A man whose identity is unknown or being protected, as in legal proceedings. The victim is a John Doe—the paramedics didn't find any identification on him.The case was brought by a John Doe, so we don't know the true identity of the man suing us.

Joe Schmoe

An average person, especially a man and typically of the working class. My brother's just your typical guy, a real Joe Schmoe—you can find him watching a sporting event in a bar after work pretty much any night of the week.If we let Joe Schmoe decide the policy in our country, we'd still be stuck in the 1800s.

Say it ain't so, Joe!

Used to express one's disbelief, disappointment, or grief upon learning some unfortunate truth about someone or something. A reference to the headline of a newspaper article alleging (incorrectly) that baseball player Joe Jackson had admitted to helping fix the 1919 World Series. This same phrase was later attributed (also incorrectly) to a child fan of Jackson's, who was said to have said it to Jackson outside of the courthouse before Jackson confirmed the accusation to the child and other fans. A: "You do realize that all the clothes in this store are made by children in sweatshops in third-world countries, right?" B: "Say it ain't so, Joe! But they offer such good prices, how are we supposed to resist that?"A: "I just heard that the actor you like was arrested for drug trafficking." B: "No, say it ain't so, Joe! I always looked up to him as a role model—I can't believe he would be involved with crime like that!""

Joe Six-pack

A lower-middle-class male. For example, I don't think opera will appeal to Joe Six-pack; he'd prefer a rock concert. This disparaging term, first recorded in 1977, conjures up the image of a man in undershirt and construction helmet who will down all of a six-pack (six cans or bottles of beer sold in a package) in an evening.

John Doe

1. Also, John Q. Public; Joe Blow; Joe Doakes; Joe Zilch. An average undistinguished man; also, the average citizen. For example, This television show is just right for a John Doe, or It's up to John Q. Public to go to the polls and vote. Originally used from the 13th century on legal documents as an alias to protect a witness, John Doe acquired the sense of "ordinary person" in the 1800s. The variants date from the 1900s. Also see Joe six-pack.

2. Also, Jane Doe. An unknown individual, as in The police found a John Doe lying on the street last night, or The judge issued a warrant for the arrest of the perpetrators, Jane Doe no. 1 and Jane Doe no. 2 . [Second half of 1900s]

John Q Public

Joe Schmoe

or

Joe Six-Pack

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

People say Joe Schmoe or Joe Six-Pack to refer to an ordinary, average person. The networks are looking for something they can sell to Joe Schmoe who lives in a caravan in Alabama.The most crucial factor will be the attitude of Joe Six-Pack, the ordinary American consumer.

ˌJoe ˈBloggs

(British English) (American English ˌJoe ˈBlow) (informal) a way of referring to a typical ordinary person: What will this promised cut in taxes really mean to Joe Bloggs and his family? ♢ As the son of a senator, of course he has advantages that the average Joe Blow doesn’t have.

quality Joe

Joe Blow

An ordinary person. That phrase meant just an average guy—any old Joe (“Joe Doakes” was a variation). It was the predecessor of “Joe Sixpack.” In fact, “Joe” was such a common first name (or nickname) that it became a slang word for coffee, which was also found everywhere.

Joe College

A typical male college student. The phrase came on the scene in the 1930s, usually applied approvingly, but occasionally as a label for a student whom the academic life sheltered from having to hold down a “real job” in the “real world.”

Say it ain't so, Joe

Your admitting your mistake would break my heart. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was involved in the “Black Sox” baseball scandal in which eight Chicago White Sox players were accused of fixing the 1919 World Series. Legend has it that as Jackson was leaving the courthouse, a young fan tugged on his sleeve and, in a voice full of emotion, said, “Say it ain't so, Joe.” When Jackson confirmed the accusation, the lad realized that his idol had feet of clay.

To-night, Joe several times invited me, by the display of his fast-diminishing slice, to enter upon our usual friendly competition; but he found me, each time, with my yellow mug of tea on one knee, and my untouched bread-and-butter on the other.

The wonder and consternation with which Joe stopped on the threshold of his bite and stared at me, were too evident to escape my sister's observation.

Joe announced, as they sat down to breakfast in a corner of the hotel kitchen.

Martin, after a few instructions, sorted the great heaps of soiled clothes, while Joe started the masher and made up fresh supplies of soft-soap, compounded of biting chemicals that compelled him to swathe his mouth and nostrils and eyes in bath- towels till he resembled a mummy.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.